200 for Rumble

Subiaco’s fullback of the decade Darren Rumble says it’s impossible to name the most talented footballer he’s ever played with.

The veteran could only shake his head and smile when he was put on the spot during an interview in the lead up to his two hundred game milestone.

“I don’t know, I cant, I can’t just list one." He said.

“I have to say one of them would be Matt Priddis…Brad Smith… Alistair Pickett… and probably Mark Haynes... and Caine Hayes.... that’s a few there and I could easily list more.” Rumble said with a grin.

It’s a telling sign of a player who’s WAFL career coincided with a club’s golden era.

Rumble made his senior debut as an 18 year old in 2003 when Subiaco was on the brink of something special.

The following year the Lions conquered all including Claremont on Grand Final day.

He went on to win three more premierships and is the only current WAFL player with that many flags to his name.

“Coming from my junior club (Balga) we didn’t win too many games and then I stepped straight into this… including reserves, we won 6 grand finals in 7 years." Rumble said.

“I thought how good is this, this is how it is, you come play WAFL and you just win grand finals.”

“At that time I don’t think I realized how lucky i was, I’d played under 100 games and had won my fourth, but now I’d do anything to win one right now.” He said.

At the end of 2006 Rumble had 62 WAFL and 2 state games to his name and had caught the eye of Fremantle recruiters.

At 22 the defender spent a year on the Dockers’ rookie list.

Rumble was named fullback in the Lions team of the decade 2001 - 2010

Lions coach Jarrad Schofield played in 3 premierships with Rumble and says he’s the ultimate clubman.

“He’s an honest footballer, you know what you’re going to get week in week out."

“He’s a true leader and that’s why he’s our vice captain, he’s been one of our leaders for a long time at this footy club, I think it's his honesty and purity is what stands out to me and he’s a quality person to play with.” Schofield said.

Dual premiership teammate Rob Forrest has played his entire senior career along side Rumble.

“On the field he’s just a big safety net, when you’ve got some one like that behind you backing you up, telling you directions.” Forrest said

“He’s played in the cage his whole life which is a bit stiff but having some on like him down there is just invaluable.

“200 hundred games is just a fantastic effort… to butter up each week as he has is an absolute credit to the way he plays the game and I really hope the boys get a win for him this weekend because that’s what Rumba deserves.” He said.